A moment with Manica Diamond’s Chisango

Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
GODFREY Chisango (22) has just joined the newly formed Eastern Region division one outfit Manica Diamond FC.

Chisango was born on July 23, 1995 in Marondera. He was the only son born of Aleck Chisango and Winnet Tanga. He was one of three children raised by his paternal grandparents after his parents separated when he was very young.

Chisango aspired to be a soldier as a child but he later on fell in love with the beautiful game of football.

He started playing soccer at a tender age of 10 while at primary school at Ruware Primary School and had a dream to become one of the best footballers in the world. In 2009, he played for a division one outfit, GMB Marondera while doing form 2.

Following impressive performances for Mashonaland East province during the national youth games in Harare in 2010, the talented goal stopper earned a scholarship to Chemhanza high school from Rakodzi High School for form three. While at Rakodzi, Chisango played for under-17 and 20.

At Chemhanza, he developed his skills as the school was playing Division 2 football.  His dream sprouted when he was selected to represent Mashonaland East juniors during the national youth games in 2010.

The following year, he was voted goalkeeper of the tournament in a NASH Under-20 tournament. He has won several accolades at junior level.

Chisango’s abilities were discovered by the national under 20 coach Jairos Tapera in 2012 during the NASH Under-20 games at Kutama Mission who relayed the news to FC Platinum and he   moved to Zvishavane in 2013. While at FC Platinum, the wonder boy captained Mashonaland Central national youth games team the same year.

Chisango was also called for the national Under-20 team in 2013 where he played friendly matches against Chinda Boys- Shabanie Mine FC and FC Platinum.

The team was suppose to travel to Angola but failed due to some financial constraints.

He joined the platinum miners’ juniors in 2013 and was promoted into the senior team after sterling performance in 2014. Unfortunately he could not break into the first eleven and spent much of his times warming the bench.

In early 2017, he was called for trials at Dembare but chose to try his luck at Mzansi’s Jomo Cosmos FC where he failed to strike a deal. Chisango came back in March 2017 when PSL teams had given all players contracts.

He remained homeless and trained with Ruwa based Hartley academy up until he decided to join Mutare City Rovers in 2017.

It was not an easy move as   he had to work hard to command a first eleven jersey ahead of Victor Twaliki and Mark Makwuyana. His first game was against Tenax FC where they won 3-1.

He played 24 games for Gusha Bhora and managed 15 clean sheets.

Fungayi Munyoro, The Post Sports Correspondent caught up with the ever smiling goalie for an interview, and this is what he had to say:

“My career is going up and I do not see or ever imagine it going down because naturally I am a hard worker”.

1. What do you like to call yourself?
2. Kampos – I used to like Tapiwa Kapini as I was growing up. He was my hero.

Q.What is the most ridiculous nickname you have ever had?

1. Chishambo – It was more of a mockery after losing 2-0 in a junior tournament at high school. It was so embarrassing because my grandfather was part of the crowd.
2. What is the song you love most?
3. Ndini uya uya by Soul Jah Love.

Q.What is the best football match you have so far featured?

1. The match in which FC Platinum played Dynamos. The match was played at Mandava Stadium in 2015, and we beat Dembare 3-1.
2. Of all the matches you have played, which one is the most memorable one?
3. It was in 2017 while I was at Mutare City Rovers and playing against Buffaloes FC. It was not an easy game at all. We drew nil all at Vengere Stadium. That was my best ever game. I made more than nine brilliant saves. I was given some money by mudhara Gopo – a well known Mutare City Rovers supporter, and to add icing on the cake, even Buffaloes supporters hailed me for the heroic display.
4. Where is Eastern Region Division One League headed?
5. So far so good, there are also new teams in the region, and we are happy with the new sponsorship from ZCDC.
6. Where is your career going?
7. I am aiming higher. I had an option to play in the elite league at Mutare City Rovers, but I had to make a tough decision and join Manica Diamond FC. I want to gain more experience here, and my target is to play in the ABSA or a better league.
8. What do you want to be remembered for?
9. As a good person on and off the football pitch.
10. What inspired you to be a soccer player?
11. My father was a soccer player until he got injured. I was also inspired by former Highlanders and national team goalkeeper Tapiwa Kapini.
12. Any challenges that you have faced as you were growing up?

A.My parents separated when I was very young and sometimes l would find it difficult when other kids talked about their parents. It affected me greatly.  When I joined FC Platinum, I was very young and most senior players looked down upon me. They would always tell me that I was very young and that I needed patience.

1. What do you make of Manica Diamond FC?
2. Manica Diamond FC is a very good side. It has a mixture of senior and junior players. So far so good and there is stiff competition. If you make any mistakes, your jersey will be up for grabs. We hope we will have positive results.
3. What should be done with junior policy in Zimbabwe?
4. Something is very wrong with our junior policy, if not football which brings us to our daily war cry: revamp Zimbabwe’s junior policy and make development of young players’ priority number one. I think if we have more teams like Ngezi Platinum or FC Platinum who have vibrant junior leagues, our football will grow. We need to consider junior development seriously.